Emergencies

While responding to many humanitarian crises, the UN and its humanitarian partners are also engaged in responding to three 'L3' emergencies. This is the global humanitarian system's classification for the response to the most severe, large-scale humanitarian crises.

The Threat of Famine

More than 20 million people in north-east Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen are facing famine or a credible risk of famine over the coming six months. With access to people in need and sufficient funding, the United Nations and its partners can avert famine and provide the necessary relief and support where famine already exists.

To avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the four countries over the coming months, the United Nations and its partners will continue to scale up humanitarian operations. Life-saving assistance in the areas of food and livelihoods, nutrition, health, and water, sanitation and hygiene will be prioritized, as these areas represent the key sectors of famine response and prevention.